At what point will Drs let us do IUI?

[Ltruns33]

Hey all. We've been ttc for 15 months and had EVERYTHING done under the sun. I'm 100% fertile, but hubby has a slightly low count. My dr won't put me on Clomid, or anything else, and the only reason hubby's count is low is due to a slight varicocle in his testicle. Surgery would be an option. But I'm not sure about success rates. Wouldn't it make more sense to go to iui anyways? It seems like they could wash and put all the good sperm in, since I ovulate and every thing. I'm just thinking out loud here. Your take on it?

 

[Molae06]

Hello, I can see why they wouldn't put you on clomid. I have done several (failed) IUI's, but our problems are opposite yours, my dh is perfect and it's me that is screwed up. As far as I am aware IUI's can be a successful treatment for low sperm count. Just ask your doctor, it can't hurt Best of luck.

 

[popchick75]

Have they done your HSG yet? Usually that is a requirement before a doctor will prescribe clomid or do IUIs.

 

[Ltruns33]

Have they done your HSG yet? Usually that is a requirement before a doctor will prescribe clomid or do IUIs.

I've had everything, thyroid, fsh progesterone, prolactin, several cycles of those tested plus my doctor went straight to laprascopic surgery over hsg. They ignore any requests of iui saying it isn't necessary and that my Husband needs to have his varicocle fixed before iui. But his count is above 25 million on his own, which I know isn't great...but better than some. He has sperm, I have eggs and ovulate like clockwork. So, I don't see the need for another surgery, and with the varicocle surgery we'd have to wait a few months to see if it was effective anyways bc of sperm production. My fear is that my dr goes straight to surgery every time. Why shouldn't we try IUI like I would like?

I know these are questions for my dr..and I am going o be more assertive about them when I gt back from vacation, . But any insight would be appreciated.

 

[heres_hoping]

I would be looking for a second opinion.

 

[Ltruns33]

I would be looking for a second opinion.

Thanks. I'm obviously thinking that route, but can you explain why you think that? im trying to articulate it all, you may do a better job at that thn I could.

 

[popchick75]

Well, you have to look at it this way. Your doctor is your employee. You have hired him for a service and/or his opinion and are paying him for services rendered. Ultimately, it is your choice if you feel comfortable following his opinions and approve of his services. If you don't agree with him or don't approve of his methods of treatment, it's time to fire him and move on. If he is refusing to treat you, don't chase and beg for him to do what you want...hire another doctor! Request copies of your medical records (which sometimes takes a while) and move on.

It took me 10 years and 4 REs to figure out what was wrong with me. When they started just choosing my path for me instead of working *with* me to decide what path to take, it was time to move on to someone who would listen.

I was kind of shocked when over time I've run into women on here who won't change doctors or have their records transferred because they are afraid of insulting or hurting their doctors feelings. When it comes down to it, medical care is a business just like any other. If the service is bad, you don't have to stay....there are many many more choices out there!

 

[Ltruns33]

Well, you have to look at it this way. Your doctor is your employee. You have hired him for a service and/or his opinion and are paying him for services rendered. Ultimately, it is your choice if you feel comfortable following his opinions and approve of his services. If you don't agree with him or don't approve of his methods of treatment, it's time to fire him and move on. If he is refusing to treat you, don't chase and beg for him to do what you want...hire another doctor! Request copies of your medical records (which sometimes takes a while) and move on.

It took me 10 years and 4 REs to figure out what was wrong with me. When they started just choosing my path for me instead of working *with* me to decide what path to take, it was time to move on to someone who would listen.

I was kind of shocked when over time I've run into women on here who won't change doctors or have their records transferred because they are afraid of insulting or hurting their doctors feelings. When it comes down to it, medical care is a business just like any other. If the service is bad, you don't have to stay....there are many many more choices out there!

Thanks! That explains a lot. You know, when they suggested laparascopic over hsg, even though cycles are regular and the was no sign of any reason to do a lap, I asked about their choice to do lap. They said it was protocol for the next step. Made me feel like they just did it, to do it. They found nothing wrong, of course, just as I thought.

 

[popchick75]

Unless there is something blatantly obvious that would indicate doing a lap, most doctors will recommend against it since it has the possibility of causing damage. Any sort of abdominal surgery (even with just the tiny incision they use) carries the risk of causing scar tissue. Scar tissue from procedures (such as a lap or c-section) can cause infertility. Surgery should be a last resort, not something that is done just to save on the doctor's time and skip over less invasive procedures.

When you consult with a new RE (which I hope you do), ask about a back to back IUI combined with clomid or injectibles. They can give you clomid and monitor you by ultrasound. Hopefully, you can get multiple follicles (2 would be perfect!) since you are already ovulating 1 egg a month. They could then do a trigger shot and do 2 IUIs on consecutive days. Since your husband has a low count, that would definitely give your chances a boost! Good luck!

 

[heres_hoping]

Popchick has it right. Most doctors would want to go for the least invasive route in all circumstances. It worries me that your doc wants to do a lap before an HSG. I wouldn't bother trying to negotiate with him, just move on to someone else.

If you do want to stick with him, just ask his rationale for doing the lap and explain your concerns about invasive surgery. Then ask what he thinks about IUI and why it isn't an option for you in his opinion. It worries me that he is pushing surgery. I wonder if it's to make you pay more?

 

[Ltruns33]

Unless there is something blatantly obvious that would indicate doing a lap, most doctors will recommend against it since it has the possibility of causing damage. Any sort of abdominal surgery (even with just the tiny incision they use) carries the risk of causing scar tissue. Scar tissue from procedures (such as a lap or c-section) can cause infertility. Surgery should be a last resort, not something that is done just to save on the doctor's time and skip over less invasive procedures.

When you consult with a new RE (which I hope you do), ask about a back to back IUI combined with clomid or injectibles. They can give you clomid and monitor you by ultrasound. Hopefully, you can get multiple follicles (2 would be perfect!) since you are already ovulating 1 egg a month. They could then do a trigger shot and do 2 IUIs on consecutive days. Since your husband has a low count, that would definitely give your chances a boost! Good luck!

Thank you so so much for helping validate my gut feeling with legitimate info. I was talking to my husband about it, and even he commented that it doesn't seem like the dr ISP"treating" me/us, rather just pushing us along. I am the one finding stuff out, doc isn't explaining it to me. Grr can't wait to look into new doctors!

 

[Ltruns33]

Popchick has it right. Most doctors would want to go for the least invasive route in all circumstances. It worries me that your doc wants to do a lap before an HSG. I wouldn't bother trying to negotiate with him, just move on to someone else.

If you do want to stick with him, just ask his rationale for doing the lap and explain your concerns about invasive surgery. Then ask what he thinks about IUI and why it isn't an option for you in his opinion. It worries me that he is pushing surgery. I wonder if it's to make you pay more?

I wondered about the $ too! They don't seem to care about me as a patient. After the lap, the doctor was gone before I woke up. He explained his findings/suggestions to my dad, who was there with me, but knows nothing about this stuff- bless his heart.

 

[Sunshine24]

Lt-- this is a tough road to be on and I emphathize with you.

I concur with those that say to move onto another doctor. My docs always let me choose my next step on my journey after he explained all options to me ( within reason, of course ) and then advised me through it. Your doctor sounds like his is not listening to you. If your goal is a baby, his goal should be doing everything you want to get you there.

I think the good news in this situation is once you switch doctors or do a different treatment plan it will probably be successful right away!

 

[Ltruns33]

Lt-- this is a tough road to be on and I emphathize with you.

I concur with those that say to move onto another doctor. My docs always let me choose my next step on my journey after he explained all options to me ( within reason, of course ) and then advised me through it. Your doctor sounds like his is not listening to you. If your goal is a baby, his goal should be doing everything you want to get you there.

I think the good news in this situation is once you switch doctors or do a different treatment plan it will probably be successful right away!

thanks means a lot to hear all the reinforcements! I am going to switch, and we are going to a FS this month to discuss further treatments/iui/ whatever is needed. Hubby doesn't have a varicocele after all (ultrasound and dr examination) after our appointent today we decided to try some other directions. Whew, i feel like we wasted all this time with one doctor. Any tips on changing dr's? How do you update them on all you've been through?

 

[popchick75]

Ask for copies of your medical records. You will have to fill out a form authorizing them to be released to you....which makes no sense since they are yours to begin with! Have them sent to you instead of your next doctor. You can make copies so you will have them.
Just start Googling and looking for recommendations online. That's how I eventually found the doc i have now. It took 4 of them to finally figure out what was wrong!